Israel blocks entry of all humanitarian assist into Gaza

Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian assist into Gaza because it calls for Hamas conform to a US plan for a ceasefire extension.

The primary part of the ceasefire expired on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned Hamas had up to now refused to simply accept a short lived extension below a proposal by Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.

A Hamas spokesman mentioned blocking provides to Gaza was “low-cost blackmail” and a “coup” on the ceasefire settlement and urged mediators to intervene.

The Palestinian group desires part two of the deal to go forward as initially negotiated, with the discharge of hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

It beforehand mentioned it could not conform to any extension of part one with out ensures from US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators that part two would ultimately happen.

A press release from Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned: “With the tip of Section 1 of the hostage deal, and in gentle of Hamas’s refusal to simply accept the Witkoff define for persevering with talks – to which Israel agreed – Prime Minister Netanyahu has determined that, as of this morning, all entry of products and provides into the Gaza Strip will stop.

“Israel won’t permit a ceasefire with out the discharge of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there will likely be additional penalties.”

The Hamas spokesman mentioned: “Netanyahu’s determination to cease assist going into Gaza as soon as once more reveals the ugly face of the Israeli occupation… The worldwide neighborhood should apply stress on the Israeli authorities to cease ravenous our individuals.”

Late final evening, Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned Israel had agreed to a US proposal for the ceasefire to proceed for about six weeks through the Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover intervals.

If, on the finish of this era, negotiations reached a lifeless finish, Israel would reserve the fitting to return to conflict.

US envoy Witkoff has not made his proposal public. In response to Israel, it could start with the discharge of half of all of the remaining dwelling and lifeless hostages.

Witkoff is claimed by Israel to have proposed the six-week extension after changing into satisfied that extra time was wanted to attempt to bridge the variations between Israel and Hamas on circumstances for ending the conflict, based on the sooner assertion from Netanyahu’s workplace.

Israel would instantly begin negotiations on this if Hamas modified its place on the six-week ceasefire extension, Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned.

Assist companies confirmed that no assist vehicles had been allowed into Gaza on Sunday morning.

“Humanitarian help has to proceed to circulation into Gaza. It’s totally important. And we’re calling all events to make it possible for they attain an answer,” Antoine Renard from the World Meals Programme (WFP) instructed the BBC.

Hundreds of vehicles have been getting into the Gaza Strip every week because the ceasefire was agreed in mid-January. Assist companies have managed to retailer provides, which suggests there isn’t a speedy hazard to the civilian inhabitants from this morning’s Israeli determination.

Egypt – one of many mediators between Israel and Hamas – has known as for the beforehand agreed upon ceasefire deal to be carried out in full. The Egyptian overseas minister mentioned his nation would current a plan to rebuild Gaza with out displacing its individuals at an emergency Arab summit on Tuesday.

Additionally on Sunday, medics mentioned 4 individuals had been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza. The Israeli navy mentioned it had attacked individuals who had been planting an explosive machine within the north of the territory.

The primary part of the ceasefire that got here into pressure on 19 January expired on Saturday.

It halted 15 months of combating between Hamas and the Israeli navy, permitting the discharge of 33 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

However negotiations on part two, together with the discharge of all remaining dwelling hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, have barely begun.

There are believed to be 24 hostages alive, with one other 39 presumed to be lifeless.

Hamas carried out an unprecedented assault on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 individuals and taking one other 251 hostage.

Israel responded with an air and floor marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip, throughout which at the least 48,365 individuals have been killed, based on the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.